Online Pass Watch: New Super Mario Bros. 2

NSMB2 + No Online Pass = Epic Win!

Awhile back I wrote a 2-part blog series about games that I'm interested in that hopefully won't have Online Pass. Though Online Pass news has grown rather quiet as of late (due to the industry realizing the error of their ways and deciding against it or no heavy hitter games have yet to see release with such a system in place thus far; take your pick) my concern for this system being in new release games is still a concern for me. And like I promised at the end of that last blog, I have kept track of these select games to see if they indeed came with Online Pass or were released as they were intended. During that blog series I got great feedback on what is to be expected. From thoughts on DLC to the new lingering threat to gaming: "On-disc" DLC. Some spoke of these games guaranteeing some form of Online Pass to thoughts of utter ridiculousness that such a system would be used, let alone implemented. Either way I plan to keep track of each of these game's releases and come to my own verdict.

And the first game to see release from my list is none other than New Super Mario Bros. 2 for the 3DS. It's been a little under a month since it's release and I'm happy to confirm that this game is COMPLETELY ONLINE PASS FREE!

In all honestly this shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. Even comments on my blog said as much when it came to this game. Thankfully Nintendo has not yet seen fit to create their own version of Online Pass (my example being Mario Pass) to lock out specific content or extra content available via digital download. Really the only reason why my paranoid mind thought of the possibility of an Online Pass system for this game was the rumor of special features in this game, as well as some form of Digital Download being offered. In the end it turned out to be nothing more than the "Coin Rush" mode, that is unlocked after beating the first world, and the digital download talk turned into the simultaneous release of this game as a physical copy, as well as the digital purchase from their online store. Coupled with that, along with the standard 3DS multiplayer options, StreePass implementation and Nintendo Network uploads of coin counts, the online aspects seem fairly harmless by comparison.

Though there is talk of paid downloadable content offered in the future, it's not enough to have this game be branded with the "Do Not Buy" tag that a game I'm interested in would get if plagued with Online Pass. Sure it's a bit concerning to see a Nintendo game (and a Mario game to boot) take the route of DLC but I'll hold off judgement till I see what is all offered. If the DLC is worth the price I could see myself buying it. If they re-release the game with all DLC offered at a reduced price, I could see myself buying that as well. Because of this the game is just a "wait and see" branding, if only to determine how to make the most of my money.

So for now that's one game to remove off my list of games I better not see with Online Pass. Again it was fairly unlikely we'd see an Online Pass System with a Mario game, but during this day and age with the gaming industry you never know. Stranger things have happened. So I'm not taking anything for granted when it comes to new game releases, be it this generation or the coming generation of games.

Now let's see if New Super Mario Bros. U follows suit with New Super Mario Bros. 2.

Comments (2)

DLC doesn't bother me

As long as the DLC and the game itself are worth how much they're charging. The first is true for this game, so let's hope the DLC pulls through. I'll gladly pay a few bucks for some more Mario levels, maybe let them do something really creative with that.

I'm with you there to a degree

so long as the dlc doesn't turn out to be cut content, I could see myself buying it. I'm just concenred that a portable mario game has followed this route. But like you said, perhaps this could end up as a good thing to help augment nintendo for creativity. Perhpas being the breathe of fresh air the franchise needs.